John Ratcliffe

1934 - 2025

John Ratcliffe
06/01/1934 - 05/27/2025
Soulmate and best friend, devoted teacher, muse and critic, intellectual maverick, world traveler, and champion for the downtrodden, John Ratcliffe, died peacefully, on May 27, 2025, with his wife and "forever girlfriend," Judith, by his side.
Born in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Ralph and Josephine (Johnston) Ratcliffe, John grew up as a Navy brat, constantly on the move. Early experiences cultivated a lifelong empathy and advocacy for marginalized people and groups.
After graduating from Analy High School in Sebastopol, California, John attended San Diego State College, before earning his B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from UC Berkeley (1959), and an M.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State (1961). An insatiable learner, he went on to earn a Master's in Public Health Education/Demography (1967) and an interdisciplinary Doctorate in Public Health and Anthropology from UC Berkeley (1972).
John's remarkable career spanned academia, international development, and ultimately real estate. With expertise in rural health and population policies, he assisted governments across South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. He held positions at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab, the World Bank, Harvard School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, where he established and directed a dual-degree program in Public Policy & Public Health and twice won Teacher of the Year, and UC Berkeley, where he was an Assistant Professor of Public Health and co-founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program (PACS) and the Health and Medical Apprenticeship Program (HMAP).
In 1983, John married the love of his life, Judith Coffman. For more than four decades John and Judith shared a commitment to continually "polishing" their extraordinary partnership. Leaving academia behind, they became a highly successful real estate team in Berkeley, finding fulfillment working side-by-side until retiring in 2022.
John was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. He touched countless lives with his genuine warmth, wisdom, and humor. His commitment to learning was matched only by his dedication to teaching; he fostered self-awareness, transparency, and intellectual courage in all who knew him. Above all, his love for Judith anchored and inspired him, shaping a life defined by generosity, integrity, and authenticity.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Judith; grandsons, Michael Merritt and Marc Merritt; and great-granddaughters, Leah Merritt and Kali Merritt. He is also survived by his niece, Anne Higgins; and nephews, Paul and Jonathan Higgins. He was predeceased by his daughter, Robin Merritt; sister, Lauretta Higgins; former wives, Lynne LaFranchi and Myrtle Franklin; and many cherished friends.
His memoir, "My Accidental Lives," will be published shortly. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to organizations promoting social justice and equity.